The Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday launched the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Green Nigeria Challenge in Jigawa State, calling for a mass mobilisation of households, schools and communities to tackle desertification and climate change through aggressive tree planting and environmental conservation.
Representing the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the inauguration of the Green Nigeria Challenge, the state governance structure, Environmental Societies and School Environmental Clubs, Shettima said the initiative, themed “Go Green Today for a Greener Tomorrow,” seeks to inspire practical environmental action through tree planting, sanitation campaigns and green innovation.
She described Jigawa as one of Nigeria’s frontline states facing the devastating effects of desertification and urged every household, community, school, youth group and local government to join the campaign by planting drought-resistant trees such as neem, moringa, date palm, mango and guava.
She said the inauguration of Environmental Clubs in secondary schools and Environmental Societies in tertiary institutions would raise a new generation of environmentally conscious Nigerians equipped to lead tree planting, recycling, reforestation, erosion control and plastic waste reduction campaigns.
She expressed confidence that the initiative would strengthen climate resilience, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, while commending the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Jigawa State Government for supporting the programme.
Earlier, Governor Umar Namadi reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to environmental sustainability, describing the Green Nigeria Challenge as a key component of the state’s Climate Change Policy and development agenda.
He disclosed that nearly 3,000 students had already been mobilised into conservation teams across secondary schools, while six environmental societies had been established in tertiary institutions to spearhead grassroots environmental action.
The governor also announced a ₦50 million prize to encourage outstanding youth groups and environmental societies participating in the challenge.
Namadi also applauded the Federal Government’s sustained social intervention efforts, noting that the food distribution came barely 24 hours after the First Lady launched the North-West National Community Food Bank Programme in Jigawa.
He said the intervention would bring relief to thousands of vulnerable households and complement the state’s social welfare programmes, including the Pay Less subsidised food scheme, Ramadan feeding programme, cash grants and agricultural empowerment initiatives.
The governor pledged continued collaboration with the Federal Government to deepen food security, social protection and environmental sustainability across Jigawa State.
Ibrahim Shuaibu
